Holland Codes

What are Holland Codes?

Holland Codes describe vocational interests using six categories developed by psychologist John Holland. They are also called Holland Occupational Themes or RIASEC: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. The categories can describe both people and work environments.

The six RIASEC categories

• Realistic: practical, hands-on work.
• Investigative: inquiry and analysis.
• Artistic: creative expression.
• Social: helping and teaching.
• Enterprising: influencing, leading, or managing.
• Conventional: working with ordered information and procedures.

A profile can contain several interests. A code often summarizes the highest-scoring categories rather than assigning someone to one exclusive type.

A Holland Code example

A code such as AIS represents Artistic, Investigative, and Social interests, with Artistic highest in that profile. It summarizes an interest pattern; it does not say that the person belongs to only those categories or has the skills for every related occupation.

How are Holland Codes used?

The O*NET Interest Profiler uses RIASEC to help people explore occupations. Counselors and individuals can use a profile to generate career options and examine which activities within those careers are appealing. It can also guide questions about education and training.

Limitations of Holland Codes

An interest is not an ability. Liking investigative work does not establish that you have the skills for every research job. O*NET recommends considering values and abilities alongside interests when making career decisions.

Use a match to investigate the work: its daily tasks, requirements, conditions, and opportunities. A code can help narrow the search. It cannot guarantee satisfaction or success, or substitute for finding out what the job is actually like.

For the acronym and the model’s hexagonal arrangement, see RIASEC.